Flood not caused by water release from reservoir - SK

July 08, 2012, 15:07 UTC+3Releases of water from the reservoir could not cause the flood in the Krasnodar Territory's Krymsk district

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MOSCOW, July 8 (Itar-Tass) —— The investigators do not consider a release of water from the Neberdzhayevskoye Reservoir as a cause of the flood, the Russian Investigative Committee's spokesman Vladimir Markin told Itar-Tass.

According to the investigators, releases of water from the reservoir could not cause the flood in the Krasnodar Territory's Krymsk district.

The investigation has established that water was released as normal. There was no overflow across the dam. Though regular water releases are planned, however, the normal dam operation had no effect on the developments, the official noted.

"There were no mass water releases or overflows over the dam," he said.

In this connection, the investigators believe a water release could not cause the flood.

Russian Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov also said the cause of the flood was "not technical".

The minister met in Krymsk on Sunday with residents, whose houses were damaged or destroyed, and who lost property. Many asked what caused the flood. A three-metre wave came, they said. The minister was asked whether the flood was caused by a release of water from the reservoir. "The cause is not technical. We have just flown aboard a helicopter over the dam. It is in normal condition," he noted.

There is no threat, the minister assured. Specialists have arrived in the region to examine everything once more, he said.

First Deputy Governor of the Krasnodar Territory Dzhambulat Katulov said that the level of precipitation in the mountains alone was 300 mm, and all the water came to Krymsk. "The dam is not damaged," he said.

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the flood-hit areas. Aboard a helicopter he flew over the flooded residential sites. Representatives of appropriate departments gave him all the information about the situation, including about the Neberdzhayevskoye Reservoir.

There can be no technological releases of water. It is just technically impossible. Such is the reservoir construction. According to Rostekhnadzor (the federal agency for technological supervision), everything is as normal, Putin told a meeting in Krymsk, citing specialists.

"Nevertheless, I want the Ministry of Emergency Situations together with Rostekhnadzor to very attentively monitor the structure," Putin said, addressing Minister Puchkov.

"We'll do everything," the minister said. Putin asked to do it promptly.